Pyrotechnics MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 161
1995-04-01 - Number 217
1995-04-01 - Number 217
1995-08-01 - Number 93
1996-07-01 - Number 37
1996-12-31 - Number 38
1997-03-24 - Number 263
1999-04-21 - Number 199
2001-04-11 - Number 210
2001-04-11 - Number 210★
2003-07-28 - Number 211
2003-07-28 - Number 211★
2009-09-04 - Number 60
2015-01-23 - Number 111
2019-11-07 - Number 1030
2020-09-26 - Number FRF-111
| Card sets | Released in 16 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Pyrotechnics does 4 damage divided any way you choose among any number of targets.
"Hi! ni! ya! Behold the man of flint, that's me!/ Four lightnings zigzag from me, strike and return." —Navajo war chant
Cards like Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile damage-dealing spell. Comparable to Flames of the Firebrand, it offers the player the ability to distribute four damage across multiple targets. What makes Pyrotechnics unique is its ability to equally affect creatures and players, providing flexibility in both clearing the board and targeting life totals.
Within the same broader family, we can spot the card Arc Lightning. Like Pyrotechnics, Arc Lightning can split its damage, although limited to a total of three. This slight difference in damage output can be decisive in many game scenarios. Conversely, we can’t overlook Volcanic Hammer, offering direct damage but to a single target. Its simplicity and lower cost make it a go-to for a swift impact.
After considering the attributes of similar cards, Pyrotechnics garners appreciation for its spread damage capacity. While other cards may offer lower casting costs or instant-speed interactions, the strategic potential of Pyrotechnics to alter the game’s dynamic across multiple points of impact is notable.
Cards similar to Pyrotechnics by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pyrotechnics presents a unique opportunity in game play, enabling you to potentially remove multiple creatures from the battlefield in a single, sweeping move. This can lead to a significant gain in card advantage, ensuring you stay ahead of your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While Pyrotechnics itself doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, the card could clear the way for your creatures to attack successfully. By eliminating blockers, your path is open to pressuring the opponent, which can indirectly accelerate your game plan towards victory.
Instant Speed: Though Pyrotechnics operates at sorcery speed, its flexible damage allocation allows you to strategize like you would with an instant. Plan during your turn for the optimal distribution of its damage to maximize impact, prepare to take out critical threats, and shape the battlefield to your advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Pyrotechnics is the fact it requires discarding another card to activate its full potential, creating a possible card disadvantage issue especially if your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost, requiring one red mana, might not fit in all deck strategies, particularly in multicolor decks which may struggle with color fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Pyrotechnics has a rather steep mana cost for its direct damage output. Players might find that four mana could be better spent on spells with greater impact or flexibility on the game state.
Reasons to Include Pyrotechnics in Your Collection
Versatility: Pyrotechnics is a flexible tool that can be slotted into various decks. As a direct damage spell, it enables players to distribute damage across multiple targets, clearing out smaller creatures or finishing off weakened opponents.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can be a significant player in combo chains. Imagine using it in conjunction with cards that double spell effects or with a creature that benefits from spells cast – the possibilities can be quite exciting.
Meta-Relevance: Pyrotechnics shines in metagames crowded with creature-based strategies. It can act as a board wipe against token strategies or utility creatures, shifting the tide of the game in your favor with a single cast.
How to beat
Pyrotechnics is a versatile card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, capable of doling out damage across multiple targets. This flexibility makes it a handy tool for clearing the board of smaller creatures or putting the final points of damage on your opponent. However, its high mana cost means it’s not coming into play early, giving you time to prepare. To effectively beat Pyrotechnics, you should maintain a robust board presence with creatures that have toughness higher than four, the maximum damage Pyrotechnics can deal to a single target.
Another strategy is to utilize instant-speed spells that can protect your creatures or disrupt your opponent’s plays. Counterspells are particularly potent against Pyrotechnics since they can stop the spell before it ever impacts the board. Investing in ephemeral protections like hexproof or indestructibility for a turn also minimizes the impact Pyrotechnics may have. Lastly, playing around your opponent’s mana and anticipating when they could feasibly cast it will allow you to hold back creatures in reserve or pressure them into using it suboptimally.
By employing these tactical maneuvers within your game, you can deftly navigate around the potential pitfalls Pyrotechnics presents and maintain your advantage on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pyrotechnics MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Pyrotechnics and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Pyrotechnics Magic the Gathering card was released in 14 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 161 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 217 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 217 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 93 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 5 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 37 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 6 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 38 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 263 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 8 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 199 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 9 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 210 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
| 10 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 210★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 11 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 211 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
| 12 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 211★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 13 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 60 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 14 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 111 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 15 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1030 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 16 | The List | PLST | FRF-111 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pyrotechnics has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pyrotechnics card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | If an effect creates a copy of Pyrotechnics, the number of targets and division of damage can’t be changed. The effect that creates the copy may allow you to change the targets, however. |
| 2014-11-24 | If some but not all of Pyrotechnics’s targets become illegal, you can’t change the division of damage. Damage that would have been dealt to illegal targets simply isn’t dealt. |
| 2014-11-24 | You choose how the damage is divided as you cast the spell, not as it resolves. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. |